Are Lipids The Same As Cholesterol

What Does A Blood Lipid Panel Test

As a person with diabetes, you should have your blood lipids checked once a year, or as advised by your doctor. These are fasting tests. This means that you must have your blood drawn only after you have fasted for at least 9-12 hours. A blood lipid panel helps detect dyslipidemia.

The blood lipid panel includes 4 main categories of lipid packages : Total Cholesterol , Low Density Lipoprotein , High Density Lipoprotein , and Triglycerides . So what numbers should you aim for?

How Can A High Ldl Level Raise My Risk Of Coronary Artery Disease And Other Diseases

If you have a high LDL level, this means that you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood. This extra LDL, along with other substances, forms plaque. The plaque builds up in your arteries; this is a condition called atherosclerosis.

Coronary artery disease happens when the plaque buildup is in the arteries of your heart. It causes the arteries to become hardened and narrowed, which slows down or blocks the blood flow to your heart. Since your blood carries oxygen to your heart, this means that your heart may not be able to get enough oxygen. This can cause angina , or if the blood flow is completely blocked, a heart attack.

Difference Between Carbohydrates And Lipids

October 10, 2011 Posted by Dr.Dinusha

The key difference between carbohydrates and lipids is that the carbohydrates are immediate energy sources in living organisms while the lipids act as a long-term energy resource and tend to be utilized at a slower rate.

Carbohydrates and lipids are important nutrients in living organisms. They are organic compounds, and they serve as key sources of energy. Hence, we take carbohydrates and lipids from our diet since they are essential for a healthy body. Both carbohydrates and lipids constitute of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Structurally, carbohydrates are polymers that exist in different forms such as monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. On the other hand, lipid is a nonpolymeric molecule that constitutes a glycerol molecule and three fatty acid chains.

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Precursor And Derived Lipids

These include fatty acids, glycerol, steroids, other alcohols, fatty aldehydes, and ketone bodies, hydrocarbons, lipid-soluble vitamins, and hormones. Because they are uncharged, acylglycerols , cholesterol, and cholesteryl esters are termed neutral lipids. These compounds are produced by the;hydrolysis of simple and complex;lipids.

Some of the different types of lipids are described below in detail.

Questions For Your Doctor About Your Test Results

When reviewing your test results with your doctor, some questions that may be helpful include:

• What are my risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
• What do my test results show about my cardiovascular health?
• Have my lipid levels changed over time?
• Do I need any follow-up tests? When should I have another cholesterol test?
• Are any treatments recommended based on my test results? What are my treatment options and their benefits and risks?

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What Is The Bad Type Of Cholesterol

Cholesterol travels through the blood to proteins called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout the body: LDL , sometimes called bad cholesterol, which makes up most of your bodys cholesterol.

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What Do My Test Results Mean

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.

Results are given in milligrams per deciliter . Here are the ranges for total cholesterol in adults:

• Normal: Less than 200 mg/dL
• Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL
• High: At or above 240 mg/dL

These are the adult ranges for LDL cholesterol:

• Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL
• Near optimal: 100 to 129 mg/dL
• Borderline high: 130 to 159 mg/dL
• High: 160 to 189 mg/dL
• Very high: 190 mg/dL and higher

The above numbers are general guidelines, because actual goals depend on the number of risk factors you have for heart disease.

Your HDL cholesterol levels should be above 40 mg/dL. This type of fat is actually good for you because it lowers your risk of heart disease. The higher the number, the lower your risk. Sixty mg/dL or above is considered the level to protect you against heart disease.

High levels of triglycerides are linked with a higher heart disease risk. Here are the adult ranges:

• Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL
• Borderline high: 150 to 199 mg/dL
• High: 200 to 499 mg/dL
• Very high: Above 500 mg/dL

Depending on your test results, your healthcare provider will decide whether you need lifestyle changes or medicines to lower your cholesterol.

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Your Cholesterol Test Results

Once you’ve had your test, what do the numbers mean?

For total cholesterol:

• 200 milligrams per deciliter or less is normal.
• 201 to 240 mg/dL is borderline.
• More than 240 mg/dL is high.

For HDL , more is better:

• 60 mg/dL or higher is good — it protects against heart disease.
• 40 to 59 mg/dL is OK.
• Less than 40 mg/dL is low, raising your chance of heart disease.

For LDL , lower is better:

• Less than 100 mg/dL is ideal.
• 100 to 129 mg/dL can be good, depending on your health.
• 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high.
• 160 to 189 mg/dL is high.
• 190 mg/dL or more is very high.

For triglycerides, lower is better:

• 150 mg/dL or less may be the goal your doctor recommends, though the American Heart Association suggests that a lower level is best for health.
• 151 to 200 mg/dL means youâre on your way to a higher risk for heart disease.
• More than 200 mg/dL means you have a higher risk of heart disease.

Your doctor will consider your overall likelihood of heart disease to set your personal LDL goal. For people who are at higher risk of heart disease or who already have it, your LDL should be less than 100 mg/dL.

If you have a moderately high chance of heart disease, an LDL less than 130 mg/dL is your target. If your risk of heart problems is fairly low, less than 160 mg/dL is probably fine.

Lipids: What Are Lipids Phospholipids And Cholesterol

Lipids are involved mainly in long-term energy storage. They are generally insoluble in polar substances such as water. Secondary functions of lipids include structural components and messengers that play roles in communications within and between cells. Lipids are composed of three fatty acids covalently bonded to 3-carbon glycerol. The fatty acids are composed of CH2 units and are hydrophobic/not water-soluble.

Fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated . A fat is solid at room temperature, while oil is a liquid under the same conditions. The fatty acids in oils are mostly unsaturated, while those in fats are mostly saturated.;Some examples of fatty acids are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Diets are attempts to reduce the number of fats present in specialized cells known as adipose cells that accumulate in certain areas of the human body. By restricting the intake of carbohydrates and fats, the body is forced to draw on its stores to make up the energy debt. The body responds to this by lowering its metabolic rate, often resulting in a drop of energy level.

Successful diets usually involve three things: decreasing the amounts of carbohydrates and fats; exercise; and behavior modification. Fats and oils function in long-term energy storage.

Another use of fats is as insulators and cushions. The human body naturally accumulates some fats in the posterior area. Subdermal fat plays a role in insulation.

• Cholesterol and steroids

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What Are Risk Factors For High Triglycerides

Factors that may raise triglyceride levels include:

• Excessive alcohol use.

• American Academy of Family Physicians. Accessed 5/6/2021.High Cholesterol.
• American Heart Association. . Accessed 5/6/2021.Cholesterol
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 5/6/2021.Getting Your Cholesterol Checked.
• Hormone Health Network. . Accessed 5/6/2021.Triglycerides
• MedlinePlus. Accessed 5/6/2021.Triglycerides Test.
• Merck Manual Consumer Version. Accessed 5/6/2021. Overview of Cholesterol and Lipid Fats.
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Accessed 5/6/2021.High Blood Triglycerides.

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Is Cholesterol A Fatty Acid

Cholesterol is an unsaturated alcohol in the steroid family of compounds; it is essential for the proper functioning of all animal cells and is a central component of their cell membranes. Triglycerides are fatty acid esters of glycerol which are the primary lipid portion of animal food fats which fat deposits.

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What Does The Test Measure

An LDL cholesterol test checks the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Results are typically measured in milligrams per deciliter .

Cholesterol is a fatty substance your body naturally creates to help in digesting food, creating hormones, and making vitamin D. Cholesterol is made up of different types of lipoproteins, which are a combination of fats, also known as lipids, and proteins. Lipids connect to proteins to be able to move through your blood. Cholesterol testing often measures different substances in the blood:

• High-density cholesterol: HDL carries cholesterol from other parts of your body to your liver for processing and removal and is considered the good cholesterol.
• Low-density cholesterol: LDL is known as the bad cholesterol because too much of it in your blood can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, putting you at risk of heart disease, diabetes, or stroke.
• Triglycerides:;Triglycerides are fats created by the foods we eat. These fats are stored until your body needs energy. Triglycerides are processed by your body when it needs energy. Having high levels of triglycerides can lead to coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular issues.
• Very low-density cholesterol: VLDL is similar to LDL cholesterol but carries triglycerides through the blood. VLDL can contribute to plaque buildup and is considered a bad cholesterol.

Biosynthesis And Vitamin Absorption

Biosynthesis, another key function of the body, is made possible by lipids. Lipids produce the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K:

• Vitamin A is vital for your immune system and vision as well as reproduction.
• Vitamin D aids in immune health and bone strength.
• Vitamin E boosts the immune system, helps prevent blood clots, and safeguards cells from free radicals, functioning as an antioxidant.
• Vitamin K aids in bone health and helps your body heal safely from injuries with the ability to form blood clots.

These are only some of the vital benefits and functions of these important vitamins. Lipids also transport and assist in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, the bodys fat-soluble vitamins.

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Can I Take The Test At Home

At-home cholesterol testing is available to measure calculated levels of LDL cholesterol. At-home testing for cholesterol uses a blood sample taken by a device that pricks your finger to obtain a small drop of blood that can be tested.

There are two types of at-home LDL tests that use a fingerstick blood sample:

• Self-tests:;In this kind of test, the analysis of your blood happens at home. This can be done by applying a drop of blood on paper that is then placed into a small device that determines the cholesterol levels. Another type of self-test uses chemically treated paper that indicates the levels of cholesterol in your blood.
• Self-collection:;For this kind of test, your blood sample is taken at home but is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

For help deciding whether an at-home cholesterol test kit is right for you, it may be helpful to talk to your primary care doctor or cardiologist. It is common to have a follow-up cholesterol test performed by a doctor if an at-home cholesterol test kit finds abnormal results.

Healthy Lifestyle For Managing Cholesterol

Besides medication, you should also change your lifestyle to improve the lipid profile like the following.

a.;;;;;;You should follow a low cholesterol diet. You should choose food that has lesser fatty meats, red meat, and whole-fat dairy. On the other hand, you can eat more fiber, nuts, whole grain, fresh vegetables and fruits.

b.;;;;;;Exercising is important. You should at least do exercise in 150 minutes for a moderate intensity level like walking. More physical activities you do, the lower LDL and higher HDL level you can gain.

c.;;;;;;Always follow your doctor recommends. Fo r now, we know the answer to the question of;Is cholesterol a lipid?;Pay attention to the lipid levels because it can change significantly every year. Do not smoke, limit your alcohol intake, take medication as prescribed and do not forget to have a healthy diet along with regular exercise.

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What Is A Normal Ldl Level

A normal LDL level is 130 mg per dL or less. When the LDL level is higher than 130, fat can build up in the walls of your blood vessels. This fat can plug up your arteries and keep the blood from flowing through them. If an artery going to your heart gets blocked, you might have a heart attack. If an artery going to your brain gets blocked, you might have a stroke. A high LDL level causes heart disease, stroke, poor circulation and kidney disease.

How To Lower Cholesterol: Smart Protein

To reduce cholesterol, limit red meat and eat more fish and lean poultry.

How to Prepare Healthy Proteins

• Trim all fat from meats, and remove all skin from poultry before cooking.
• Broil or bake, don’t fry foods.
• Drain fat from any meats before serving.
• Avoid processed meats such as hot dogs or cold cuts, even those labeled “reduced fat,” as many are still high in saturated fats and calories.
• Oily fish such as salmon or trout are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce triglyceride levels and improve HDL cholesterol levels.
• Soy proteins can also have a beneficial effect and help to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising HDL cholesterol levels.

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How Are Triglycerides Different From Cholesterol

Triglycerides and cholesterol are both fatty substances called lipids. But triglycerides are fats; cholesterol is not. Cholesterol is a waxy, odorless substance made by the liver. It is used to build cell walls, helps the nervous system and plays an important role in digestion and hormone production.

The Relationship Between Fat And Cholesterol

How are fats related to blood cholesterol? Research shows that the amount and type of dietary fat consumed can affect blood cholesterol levels. Dietary fat, especially saturated and trans fats, may raise blood levels of total and LDL cholesterol. Replacing some saturated fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats can help lower blood cholesterol. Recall that high total blood cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol levels increase risk of heart disease, while lower levels reduce risk. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol help lower the risk for heart disease.

What foods contain fat and cholesterol? In some foods, fats are obvious, like noticeably greasy, fried or oily foods, or meats with visible marbling. In other foods, such as dairy, eggs, and some meats, fat and cholesterol is harder to see. Fats are found in both plant and animal foods, but cholesterol is only found in foods of animal origin. A food can be high in fat and cholesterol , high in fat but low in cholesterol , low in fat and high in cholesterol , or low in both . The nutrition facts label is a useful tool to determine the amount of fat or cholesterol in a particular food item.

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Table 3110percentiles For Plasma Total High

• Increases in dietary cholesterol and fat raise levels of apoprotein E-containing lipoproteins in the plasma of man.Cole TG, Patsch W, Kuisk I, Gonen B, Schonfeld G. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1983 Jun; 56:1108-15.
• Heterogeneous properties of intermediate- and low-density lipoprotein subpopulations.Srisawasdi P, Vanavanan S, Rochanawutanon M, Pornsuriyasak P, Tantrakul V, Kruthkul K, Kotani K. Clin Biochem. 2013 Oct; 46:1509-15. Epub 2013 Jul 2.
• Review .Sandhofer F. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1994; 144:286-90.
• .Bauchart D, Levieux D. Reprod Nutr Dev. 1985; 25:243-50.
• Review .

Complications Of Abnormal Lipid Levels

Abnormally high levels of certain lipids can lead to long-term problems, such as atherosclerosis. Generally, a high total cholesterol level , particularly a high level of LDL cholesterol, increases the risk of atherosclerosis and thus the risk of heart attack or stroke. However, not all types of cholesterol increase this risk. A high level of HDL cholesterol may decrease risk, and conversely, a low level of HDL cholesterol may increase risk.

The effect of triglyceride levels on the risk of heart attack is less clear-cut. But very high levels of triglycerides can increase the risk of pancreatitis.

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Symptoms Of High Blood Cholesterol And Triglycerides

High cholesterol typically doesnt cause any symptoms. Symptoms may only appear after the increased cholesterol has caused significant damage.

For instance, symptoms may come in the form of heart disease symptoms, such as chest pain or nausea and fatigue. A heart attack or stroke may result from uncontrolled cholesterol, among other things.

Five Ways To Lower Your Ldl On A Keto Or Low

Has your cholesterol increased on a low-carb diet? Do you fear that you may need to abandon this way of eating and its potential benefits?

Here are five ways you can reduce your total and LDL cholesterol levels while maintaining a keto or low-carb lifestyle. Consider trying them in this order.

1. Avoid Bulletproof coffee

Bulletproof coffee refers to adding butter, coconut fat or MCT oil in coffee. Avoid drinking significant amounts of fat at all when youre not hungry. This alone can sometimes normalize elevated cholesterol levels.23

2. Eat only when hungry

Only eat when hungry and consider adding intermittent fasting. This may reduce cholesterol levels. Although most research on intermittent fasting and LDL reduction come from low-quality observational studies during Ramadan, a recent pilot study of time restricted eating showed a significant reduction in LDL.24 While we need more data, this remains a promising intervention.

3. Eat foods higher in unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats

Foods higher in unsaturated fats include fats like olive oil, fatty fish and avocados. Replacing sources of saturated fat with these foods may be enough to lower LDL cholesterol.

However, remember that many unsaturated oils are highly processed. As with food, we recommend focusing on the least processed oils like olive oil, macadamia oil, and avocado oil.

4. Eat LDL-lowering keto-friendly foods

These low-carb plant foods may help lower cholesterol levels somewhat:

5. Eat more carbs

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